#discount theatre tickets

[catilinas]

Hello! I apologize if im bothering, and wish you all the best in upcoming year! I wanted to ask, do you perhaps have some suggestions for modern plays ( written in last 20 or so years) inspired by greek tragedies (either serving as motifs or beibg retellings), particularly Oresteia? I am asking because I see lots and lits of literary retellings, but with few exceptions, rarely dramas. Thank you anyway, sorry for bothering, and have great holidays!

hi!!! i can think of a few but but because i'm more of a roman epic person the list is mostly plays i've actually seen. i think literary retellings are probably easier to find people talking about online because like. they aren't performed and so there's not the access barrier of needing to Go And See The Performance. and then also there are plays where you then can't get hold of the script! i'm also assuming you're interested in plays that aren't just translations / close adaptations of tragedies, because those are a lot easier to find and also like. more common?

here are some plays that i have either read or seen that fit your criteria and also fuck immensely:

the burial at thebes: a version of sophocles' antigone - seamus heaney

antigone the musical - marina mccready (does cool things w genre; version of antigone that has made me feel the most genuine sympathy for creon)

the cure at troy: a version of sophocles' philoctetes - seamus heaney (this isn't quite within the last 20 years but you may be interested anyway!)

phaedra's love - sarah kane (also a bit older but it's sooo good. although it is maybe more senecan tragedy than greek tragedy?)

phaedra - simon stone (based on euripides' hippolytus but also the plays by seneca and racine. but also it isn't any of them. but also it IS)

oresteia - robert icke (maybe my favourite play of all time ever) (robert icke has also done a version of oedipus but it was in dutch and i don't think it's possible to get the script?)

girl on an altar - marina carr (inspired by the oresteia but. not. also very cool in that it incorporates a Lot of iphigenia at aulis and yet iphigenia never appears. and then the whole play is about her)

also! if you aren't aware of the archive of performances of greek and roman drama productions database you might also want to rummage around in there! like i am Aware of things like a recent musical version of medea / iphigenia in splott but they are almost certainly in that extremely filterable database :D

also also clutuals pspspspsps if you have any particularly cool additions to this list. hi. hello.

[sassmill]

Ope consumed my body weight in popcorn at the movie theatre and now feel incredibly ill

[droughtofapathy]

Sondheim must be rolling in his grave at these prices.

[satellitedyke]

finally going to see everything everywhere all at once later today!!!! ehehehehehe

[fitzrove]

Ironically I don't have a subscription so can't read this but. Based etelä-suomen sanomat

"Who can actually afford this? A ticket to the theatre price comparison's most expensive musical costs more than 90 euros"

[thatgirlwhokeepsreading]

Me, every time I buy my season ticket for the state theatre company: urgh like $250 eight play package comes out to $32 per show, and that’s for the Under 30 concession, like no wonder it’s just industry peeps and old people who see theatre these days

Me, deciding I’m finally going to see some ballet and opera this year: okay, so the season package is… Jesus Christ Why Is This Twice The Money For Half The Shows. Why does the opera not have Under 30 or even youth tickets. You’re breaking the cost down by show, you’re showing it to me, why is this one where the music is prerecorded twice the price of this one where music live half the time and the same price as one where it’s only recorded music for matinee. Are instrumentalists not your biggest cost?? Is personnel not your biggest cost?????

[ruumiinlaulaja]

Good morning. I woke up after 6 am. Having breakfast in my room and watching the sun rise.

I really love having a kitchen next door. Makes the place feel more like home, especially when I can just go pick up my breakfast from the fridge and make myself coffee in my night clothes.

Anyway hopefully I get to see a musical today. That depends on whether I’ll get lucky with the tickets.

[dannidorina]

Round three of Spiderverse tnnt

[mixedupmilly]

The Art of Thrifty Theatre: Tips and Tricks for Budget-Conscious Playgoers

Going to the theatre can be really expensive, which means lots of people who would thoroughly enjoy seeing a show and would gain from this can’t afford to do so. Personally I believe everyone should be able to have this experience and it shouldn’t be a privilege only for the rich. Photo by Donald Tong on Pexels.com There are ways to get cheaper tickets, one way is to be more flexible on when…

[three-moving]

cannot stop thinking about this weekend when 10 kids from my school tried to come in to see cocaine bear but they

a) all bought child tickets (they’re all 16-17. child tickets are for under 13.) and

b) didn’t know they needed at least one adult with them

they had an adult and the manager working was nice so they got in anyway but it was really funny watching them realize they are not, in fact, considered children

[fox-guardian]

[ID: A digital comic in two images of Samama Khalid and Celia Ripley from The Magnus Protocol on a gray background. Sam is a fat South Asian man with short, curly black hair, and a mustache and small goatee, and he is wearing a turtleneck, a cardigan, black nail polish and small black earrings. Celia is a slim Korean woman with short black hair, and she is wearing a button down shirt, a vest, rectangular glasses, an x-shaped earring, an industrial piercing, and snakebite studs. Sam is colored in solid red, and Celia is colored in solid green.

The first image is three drawings of Sam. The first is of him looking up pleadingly with his hands clasped and his eyes large and sparkly with sparkles around his head saying "Ahem, please?" The second is him holding up two tickets and smiling, saying "Ta-da! These incredibly exclusive, hardly-discounted, barely obstructed theatre tickets?" The last is him holding up the tickets to himself to read them and saying "I don't really know much about it, I just thought-" His eyes are drawn as dots in the last one.

The second image is of Celia smiling down at him with half-lidded eyes and an amused and slightly scheming smile. She is blushing lightly with a thought bubble next to her with partially blocked out text reading "I need to (blank) him and (blank blank) him until he (blank)". The censored parts also contain pink hearts on the black censor bars. end ID]

~~~~

thinkin bout that one bit. i love him <3 celia you need to kiss his silly little face or i will

[jamdoughnutmagician]

Cherry on Top (Robin Buckley x Fem!Reader) Fluff

When the pining between Robin and the cute customer who comes into Scoops Ahoy becomes too much for Steve to bear, he hatches as plan to give them then gentle push they both so desperately need.

Word Count:1,184

Masterlist // Robin Buckley Masterlist

It was just a summer job Robin thought to herself. It's not forever.

Even so, working at Scoops Ahoy wasn't all that bad, sure the uniforms were silly, and slightly scratchy against her skin, the pay wasn't all that much, and sometimes customers were straight up rude. However, despite its ever-stacking list of cons, there were a few pros; such as staff discounts on ice cream, and working alongside Steve Harrington, who had surprisingly grown up a lot since high-school. Proving that he actually wasn't all that bad like she had been led to believe.

However Robin found herself unable to tear her eyes away from the cute customer who came in every Saturday, just to order the same thing she orders every time. One single scoop of chocolate, rainbow sprinkles with a cherry on top. 

Robin watched on from behind the crack in the serving window as the girl's eyes sparkled, and her smile beamed. No doubt laughing at Steve's attempt at flirtatious banter. 

Not that she’d ever tell him, but Robin was jealous of Steve. Jealous of the way the girl's eyes lit up when she looked at him, jealous of the way she laughed at every single one of his stupid jokes. How Steve seemed so effortlessly cool and calm, almost suave, around the girl that made Robin’s heart race annoyed her to no end.

“Hey Steve!” you cheer as you skip into Scoops ahoy on a hot Saturday afternoon. It was oddly quiet in the parlour today, save for a few people sitting in the booths

“Hey y/n! Same as usual?” he chirps back with his boyish smile.

“You know it!”

“Alright then, one scoop of chocolate, rainbow sprinkles and a cherry coming right up.” he smiles as he twirls his ice-cream scooper around with his fingers.

“So..Uh.. Steve, i-is Robin here today?” you ask him, your voice stuttering slightly with nerves.

“When are you just going to bite the bullet and ask her out already?” 

“Keep your voice down will ‘ya, Harrington, jeez” you whisper-shout as you shush him, looking around to see if anyone heard him.

“What? So you don’t want to take her out on a date and make out with her then?” he teases, as he hands you your ice-cream.

“I didn’t say that…” you drawl out, as you hand Steve over your money.

“Look, you think she’s cute, she thinks you’re cute, I don’t know what more you’re waiting for?” He softly laughs with a shake of his head.

“Wait…Robin thinks I’m cute? Did she say something to you?” you splutter at this revelation.

“Just leave it with me, alright? Think of me as your wing-man.” Steve says all too confidently. 

You eye him slightly, but ultimately decide that trusting him would be in your best interest, especially if it scored you a date with his best friend.

“I’ve got two tickets to see Footloose, c’mon Rob, don’t you wanna go with me..” Steve pleads down the phone.

Robin rolled her eyes at her friend. She could just see his floppy hair and dumb puppy-dog face in her mind, begging her to go with him.

“You’re actually asking me to go with you to see a musical? Steve, I thought you hated musicals? You told me you hated how unrealistic it was, and that ‘nobody bursts into song like that in real life’.” Robin teases with her impression of Steve. 

“Yeah, I know but you love ‘em, besides I’ve heard good things about this one.”

Robin rolled her eyes at her friend, but she’d already made her mind up that she was going to go, Steve was her best friend, and she’d do anything to make him happy. 

“Alright, what time is the movie?”

Robin Strolled up to the movie theatre, where Steve was already waiting for her outside.

“Hey! Robin!” Steve waves. “Over here!”

But as Robin got closer she could see the cute girl from the ice cream parlour.

“Hey look who I bumped into.” Steve smirked.

“Hi, Robin!” you wave cheerfully.

“Hey, yourself!” Robin replies, trying her best to play it cool. “So, what are you here to see?” 

“Oh I was just about to buy myself some tickets to see Footloose. Truth be told I have a soft spot for musicals.” you explain.

“Hey, why don’t you just take my ticket?” Steve offers, raising his eyebrows at you. This was his plan all along. He’d told you as much, explaining what was going to happen before he even phoned Robin. He was going to bail at the last minute to give you two some time alone together. It’s not that he didn’t love spending time with Robin, but the way she pined over you was beginning to become unbearable, so Steve took it upon himself, as your wing-man and Robin’s best friend to give you both the push you needed.

Robin looked at her friend like he had two heads. What was he doing leaving her alone with the girl she had been crushing on so badly that she’d barely spoken two whole sentences to her? 

“Oh Steve, you don’t have to do that!” you worry, before he assures that it’s no worries at all. 

“No, honestly, I insist. Dustin called me up earlier, said he needs me to pick him and the rest of the boys up from their little nerd club.”

“Well if you're absolutely sure” you say as you take the ticket Steve offers you.

“You girls go ahead and have fun without me!” He smiles triumphantly. 

Steve goes up to give Robin a hug before leaving, pulling her close enough to whisper in her ear.

“Enjoy your date, Dingus.” Steve whispers, pulling away from the hug with an affectionate smile.

You and Robin both sit through the movie, a shared bag of hot buttery popcorn sits between you both. Your hands grazing against each other a few times as you both reach for the bag at the same time, with a couple of mumbled apologies whispered to each other in between the music coming from the big screen.

The film draws to a close and you both exit the theatre with match smiles on your faces.

“I-I had a great time hanging out with you today.” Robin mumbles, her eyes looking down at the floor, because if she dared to look you in the eyes she would not be able to speak to you without fumbling over her words.

You tilt her chin up under your fingers, wanting to look at her properly.

You lean in close to her before pressing a soft kiss to her cheek, your lips brushing against her flushed features.

“I had a great time too!” you smile. “Perhaps we can do this again sometime, like a proper date?”

Robin beams at your suggestion, elated that this had gone well enough that you were willing to go on another date with her.

“Yeah, I’d like that. I’d like that a lot, actually.”

Robin was going to have to give Steve the biggest thank you hug ever when she saw him next. 

@sunnythespookyghost @penguinsandpotterheads @xxhellfirebunnyxx @onegirlmanytales @mrsjellymunson @reidsbtch

[sbk-zgvlt]

OMG YOUR THEATER SEBEK AU

Bro could you just imagine Sebek and Rollo face to face with each other and Sebek immediately turning around not wanting to get exposed only for Rollo to be like.

"Ah Sebek Zigvolt, one of Shaftlands most distinguished actor. I am honored to meet you, I have sat in for many of your plays when you were in Fleur city and waited for when you return to the spotlight once again."

Sebek sweating heavily under the many watchful stares and especially Rook's who's eyes are gleaming too much there

Let Rollo and Rook fight on who is the first Sebek fan if Sebek was a childhood theatre kid who is as popular as Neige and Vil in movies.

YESSSSS

Rollo looking over the students of NRC with judging eyes, before noticing a student he doesn't quite recognize with their cat beast familia- HOLY SHIT IS THAT SEBEK ZIGVOLT

He's a HUGE fan, even if he doesn't want to admit it. Constantly makes references to production Sebek has ever been in during the whole fucking tour. "Ah, I do remember that you used this handkerchief during one of your works. It was a retelling of one of Fleur City's famous stories about a woman who saved the Righteous Judge's close friend. Your acting as E-" "IT HAS BEEN 2 YEARS SINCE THEN LET US NOT SPEAK OF THE PAST!!!!"

His student aide and vice president always make it a point to tease Rollo for his admiration for Sebek's acting, telling Sebek that the only time he's ever missed summer classes ("Summer classes?? That's kind of sad." "Ruggie how about we NOT provoke the guy who's letting us stay over.") was when he found out that Sebek came back to the Shaftlands. He was there in the audience on his first day.

Rook is DEFINITELY not letting this go. "Monsieur Crocodile dabbles in the theatrical arts? Why, how come I've never heard of this before!" "You stalk people, how have you NOT."

Asking Sebek when his next performance will be, if he can get a discount or a free ticket (He literally has the money to buy a whole row of seats what is bro on about), just absolutely MINDBLOWN

If ever Rollo and Rook were to fight over who Sebeks biggest fan was, I think it would be passive aggressive lawl.

"I must say, Mr. Zigvolt, your acting is absolutely spectacular."

"Oui! Hearing such praise makes me want to see Monsier Crocodile onstage for myself! I fear that you may have a contender for number one fan!"

"I am not a number one fan, as you put it, but it's awfully bold for you to assume that you'll instantly reach such a title when you've just heard of Mr. Zigvolt's achievements. Give it- ah, a few years, give or take?"

"Is that a challenge, monsieur?"

"You may take it as such."

Meanwhile Silver's off to the side absolutely confused because????? Sebek acts???

[anonymooseforever007]

Behind on that Cute Date

(Michael Gray x Reader)

Summary: Wanting to give her busy friend some time to herself, Y/N had offered to watch her friend’s son Karl for a few hours to go to movie and ice cream. But upon returning to the house, Y/N offers to keep the boy longer if Ada wants to spend some more time with her “cute date”. It is a date right? 

A/N: Hi y'all! No TW's I think? I thought of the worst way to meet someone's mom and wrote it? I guess this could also be considered an Ada x Reader Platonic story too considering Michael isn't in the first part too much, but he is defiantly the focus of it...or parts of him are.. Also Michael is probably OC a bit here as I wrote it more with early S2 Michael (farm boy Michael:) ) in mind than the other seasons. enjoy❤️

WC- 5.4k

Part 2- Chocolate Pie

Main Masterlist

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Small and sticky fingers closed around the collar of Y/N’s dress as Karl began to softly snore into the woman’s shoulder. The energy of the day’s excitement finally beginning to fade (at least until nap time was over) as the two figures quietly walked back down the street to Ada’s house.

Y/N wouldn’t openly admit it, but she was slightly relieved that Karl had fallen asleep. It wasn’t that she didn’t adore the boy, but after almost nine hours of his endless questions (often which had be answered five minutes earlier) and constant need to be running in a different direction (often the opposite one than they needed to go in) the quiet was nice. 

Even if she truly did enjoy about coming up with all the different answers for questions such as, “Why don’t ducks have scales,” or, “How many jumps would it take to get across the park,” and even her (least) favourites, “What if I put this rock in my nose,” or “What if I took off my pants?” 

It would be later that Y/N realised the pattern where many of the questions Karl asked starting with the words, “What if I…” would typically result in a similar answer from herself ending in the words, “…and we don’t want to make mummy sad do we?” 

Maybe it was cheap manipulation, the “let’s not hurt mummy’s feelings” tactic, but Y/N had to admit it was extremely effective. It was right up there next to the , “we gotta be good or mummy may not let me watch you anymore” tactic, she often heard from her own babysitters when younger. Of course, she would explain why the question or action would make “mummy” sad and give Karl reasoning behind not doing it. But in a quick pinch telling him that “Mummy would be sad because he kicked the light post and his leg may fall off,” worked great. 

So aside from a few incidents involving light posts and small rocks, the day had gone great. Having picked Karl up right before lunch Y/N had taken him to run around the park for a bit before treating him to a small picnic shoved in her pack.

Then, being ready to get out of the heat for a bit, the pair went to see the film Peter Pan in the nearby theatre. Technically the movie had been released in the previous year, but the theatre was running a special that week and was playing select children’s films at a discounted price. Despite having purchased two tickets, Karl remained on Y/N’s lap for most of the film. Within the first few minutes he had been terrified by the film’s portrayal of “Nana, the Darling’s family dog,” and sought refuge with the women. Which seeing as it was a rather unnerving puppet Y/N didn’t blame him.

Finally, on the way back the two had passed an ice cream shop and Y/N decided to get them both a cone. Admittedly, she had already planned on doing so, but it certainly did help that while Karl was eating, he wasn’t able to continue pestering her on why she wouldn’t tell him how baby mermaids were made.

Yes, while Y/N certainly didn’t regret offering to take her friend’s son for the day, she could also see why Ada may have wanted (needed) the break. So when Karl began to walk slower and slower, dragging his feet just a bit more, until the only thing keeping him up was Y/N’s hand over his, she was a bit relieved. Even if she did have to keep readjusting his small body in her arms every few minutes, as his head switch between different sides of her shoulders to watch the people passing by. 

The time was getting close to dinner now and Y/N had promised Ada she’d get Karl home by dark. And even if it was still light outside, Y/N didn’t think Ada would mind the two returning a bit earlier than expected, especially if Karl was already tried out for the night.

 If anything it meant that Y/N would be able to take one more task off her friend’s list and get the boy washed and in bed early, leaving time for the two to catch up on the last chapter of their newest book. 

That was how the two met of course, with Y/N, who just started working at the same library, asking for a good book to read. And Ada, having found a thrilling new cover of her own, decided to share her find with the young woman who couldn’t have been older than her own cousin. And thus a new friendship was born, with both women reading the same book and later gushing over the new twist and turns of the plot over lunch each day.

Now here Y/N was almost a year later, walking back to Ada’s house, a trip she now knew by heart, with Ada’s little boy asleep on her shoulder, and hopes that Ada herself was actually able to take that long nap. Y/N knew her friend had been busy with work and Karl and even extended family too. It seemed every day Ada had a new rant about the stupidity of her older brothers’ even more stupid plan. It was why Y/N had offered to take Karl in the first place, remembering how tired her own mother often got trying to take care of the house and her siblings in those long years her father was fighting.

However, as the Y/N got closer to the house she became more and more unsure that Ada actually did spend the day alone as expected…

Sitting outside Ada’s house was a car that Y/N hadn’t seen before. It was a Black Bentley of the nicer model and judging by the shine of the metal it was obviously new. This was the first hint in Y/N’s mind that Ada wasn’t alone. She knew her older friend didn’t own a car, preferring to walk the short distance between work, home, or any other place she needed to get to. On the rare occasion that the women did need to travel further than they could walk, they could easily have called a cab or even taken the car Y/N “shared” with her older brother during the times he’s was in town. 

Stopping at the foot of Ada’s steps, between the front door and the car itself Y/N stared for a moment. A conversation she had with Ada earlier that week came to mind. 

In between their usually chatter during lunch, Ada had mentioned that she might have needed Y/N to watch Karl one night soon. Apparently, the one night Y/N went home early from the bar, was the night Ada had met a handsome man who’s interest was requited. After Y/N had left, they had met and got talking for a while and the mysterious suitor had even paid for Ada’s cab home later wishing her a good night with a kiss on the hand. It was during the lunch, that Ada let it slip the man had eagerly asked her on a date, but being unsure of how it would affect Karl, she asked to think about it for a few days.

Upon seeing the car outside and remembering their discussion, Y/N felt a smile begin to grow on her face. Obviously Ada had finally decided to call the man back and accept his offer, and Y/N was excited for her friend. 

Currently having no boyfriend or romantic interest herself (not for lack of trying), Y/N sometimes found herself highly invested in the love lives of her friends. She enjoyed listening about their newest attractions and helping them find new clothes to wear for dinners and even planning romantic picnics that could rival those in the books she read. Plus, when the relationship was a good one, she got excited seeing how happy her friends were when they had someone they could spend part of their life with. Even if Y/N hadn’t found that person of her own yet. 

Of the few dates Y/N had been on, she often found the men either nice but without connection, or worse, charming but far too handsey for someone who was a stranger only the hour before. Besides, along with the romantic encounters many of her friends had came the inevitable heartbreaks. And while she never minded being the shoulder to lean on, Y/N didn’t look forward to the feeling herself. So she had decided to let life run its course and if she were fated to find someone one, found they would be...one day... hopefully. If not she could always buy more dogs.

“Are you Ada’s friend?”

A small yell left Y/N’s mouth as she jumped slightly, hearing the voice that had spoken, startling her out of her thoughts. Karl made a small noise of protest but quickly fell back asleep as Y/N’s hand went to his hair, brushing it soothingly.

Taking a few seconds to regain her breath, Y/N turned from the car she had been staring at and towards the steps of the house. Towards where she assumed Ada’s mystery date stood. 

Upon seeing his face for a brief second Y/N wished Ada had left the bar that night early instead of her. Maybe then this man would have started talking to her. Maybe then he could have been her date.

He was dressed in a well tailored suit complete with a beige overcoat and matching hat in hand. His hair was a pretty brown color and had obviously taken some time to style it as neat as it was. In the back of her mind, Y/N wondered if his hair still looked as neat when he woke up the morning seeing how much product there appeared to be. His hair still looked soft though. His shoes were so polished Y/N had no doubt she would see a perfect reflection if she was looking down. And then there was his face…. He had a pretty jawline and even prettier green eyes. And slightly above his left eyebrow was a small mole on his otherwise almost flawless skin. Y/N decided at the moment that there were few faces she liked as much as his. Even if it did seem to be covered in an expression of confusion.... wait what?

"I asked if you were Ada's friend?" the man spoke again, once more breaking Y/N out of her thoughts. 

"Yeah, yes! I am totally Ada's friend. I'm not just walking around with this one for no reason," she spoke quickly, motioning to Karl as she did so. The man's eyes moved over to the boy resting on her hip as one corner of his mouth pulled up slightly. 

"I suppose that makes sense. Ada's not one to let just anyone watch Karl. I don't think her brothers are allowed to watch him half the time," the handsome stranger chuckled turning back to glance at the house quickly. Y/N smiled as well. She hadn't met Ada's brothers but had heard more than one story about them to know the stranger's comment may not have been wrong. 

"I'm Y/N by the way, really sorry for staring earlier. I've been chasing Karl here all day and zoned out a bit." Doing her best to shift Karl to one arm, Y/N was able to stick part of her right arm forwards hoping she hadn't offended him by not introducing herself sooner. Though it may have sound silly, and truthfully it was silly, Y/N had more than one of her friend's dates who got pissy if she didn't introduce herself "properly". And while those men, thankfully, never lasted to long, Y/N didn't want to risk pushing away first man she'd ever seen come out of her friend's house. Especially if this was the one Ada had seemed so enamored with just the other day. 

Looking back over at her, the man gave another half smile and stuck his hand out. Just as he was about to open his mouth to introduce himself, the exhaust of passing car released a loud bang. 

The standing pair both jumped at the sudden sound and Karl's head shot up. The little boy, now fully alert held on tightly to his sitter, moving his head around anxiously to find the thing that scared him awake. Seeing nothing his grip relaxed slightly and his head laid back down on Y/N's shoulder content to listen to her soothing words as she told him it was alright. Only a few seconds later, Karl's head shots up again and a grin spread across his face as he recognized the man before him.

"MEL!"

"Karlie!" The man, Mel, replied with a full smile and wave of his own, obviously familiar with the young boy. "How are you today? Your mum mentioned that you were spending the day with a friend when we got here. Did you go to a movie?"

Nodding his head Karl gave a toothy grin, before motioning to be put down. Happy to have her arms to herself once again, Y/N did so, unable to keep the smile from growing on her own face as she watch the two interact. 

If this truly was the mystery data of Ada's she expected him to be, Y/N was already impressed. Not only was he good looking, but he also seemed polite and more importantly but excited to interact with Karl. Y/N knew that if Ada truly was going to start going steady with any man, it wouldn't be one who ignored her son. She had also noted that when the loud, gunshot like, noise suddenly happened Mel had stepped closer, almost protectively, towards the other two. Whether out out of  instinct or bravery, it certainly gained him another point in Y/N's growing list. 

After quietly watching the two interact for a bit longer from the front steps of, Karl came back over to his mother's friend and grabbed her left sleeve motioning for her to bend down, eager to share a new secret.

"I have to pee."

Stifled laughter was heard behind the boy at his not so quiet whisper, and Y/N bit back her own smile the words reached her ears. 

"Alright Karlie boy, why don't we say bye to Mel and you can go right ahead." The words barely leaving Y/N's mouth before the boy blurted out a quick parting to the man before shooting inside and disappearing within. Now left alone on the steps with "Mel" as Karl called him, Y/N took another moment to smile to herself, as well as to breath before she planned on heading in. Waiting outside also gave her short time to plan her now numerous questions for Ada. Not intending to take up more of his time before she had time to interrogate her friend, Y/N turned to the man about to say her own goodbye when this time it was him who spoke first.

"I guess he had fun today. Last time he was that excited was when John gave him a slingshot and Arthur taught him how to use it. Almost took out Finn twice that day, and Tommy three times" Mel spoke with a smile on his face, both at the story he told and the women he was speaking to, who was now failing to hide her smile at the images in her head.

"I'm glad I could bring him such joy then," she laughed as he admired the spark in her eye, "He really was great today. I don't have many children in my own family, so getting to spend time with one if always fun. Besides I don't mind giving Ada a break every now and then, I know she works hard. But I take it you two had fun today," the last sentence Y/N couldn't help but asking. Even if she did plan on getting the details from Ada later it never hurt to get another's point of view in these situations....

"It was nice yeah, we got here right after you picked him up I think, and then spent most of the day here. I got some work I need to pick up now but I believe later we agreed to meet back at one of the clubs...," hesitating slightly now with his head looking to his feet quickly before he continued," I don't suppose you're going to be watching Karl tonight too? Or just until now? Or did you have other plans tonight?"

"Oh no,I'm probably gonna read a book tonight. I think Ada only wanted me to watch him until about dinner. But I didn't realize she had others plans tonight. I might have to see if she needs that," the last bit was mumbled more to herself as the silence now grew between them. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence, quite the opposite actually. Each wrapped up in their own head figuring out the details inside. 

Soon enough Mel looked back down at his watch noticing the time and a small cough and stretched out hand was all it took to break Y/N from her own reverie.

"It was nice to meet you but I really do need to get going on that work now. Don't want to get told off for being late," he said. And it was then as they both shook hands again that each took notice of how warm the other's hand was and how well it seemed wit fit with their own.

"Of course, go ahead! Don't let me keep you any longer. It was pleasure to meet you as well!" Y/N returned, removing her hand from his as she watched him move down the steps finally heading off in his car. But not before he glanced back to give her one more quick nod and half smile.

Fuck, Ada was lucky...

Standing on the steps a few moments more, Y/N waited until just after the shiny car had turned the corner out of sight before finally making her way inside. 

She made her way immediately to the kitchen where she heard Ada, giving Karl a quick wave as she passed him playing with his toys on the couch. Entering from the side Y/N immediately caught sight her friend washing a few plates in the sink and started to speak eagerly.

"Hello, alright so first I hope it's alright that I brought Karl home a bit earlier. He had fallen asleep and I figured it may be time to come back. I take it your day of rest went well. Also you know if you want I can take him for the night too? Leave you to have your fun..." She spoke wiggling her eyebrows suggestively at the last part.

Ada laughed before fully turning to her friend and responding, "My day was great, thanks again for taking him. And what do you mean by leaving me to have my fun? I don't have anything else to do tonight? Have you and Karl made plans to get rid of me?" 

"You have nothing else to do tonight?! Oh Ada but what about Mel! I thought you two were going to a club later? Are you really telling me you're gonna skip out on that? With him?!" Now both confused the two women stared at each other. Ada was confused because she couldn't think of any Mel's she knew, much less one she had plans with that night. And Y/N was confused because she was sure Mel had mentioned that he and Ada were going to a club later. Y/N hadn't spent long around him, but knew she'd enjoy having plans like that. Especially if they involved him. 

"Y/N who's Mel?"

"What do you mean who's Mel? It's Mel! Mystery man? You two met after I left the pub one night and hit it off? You said he asked you out and I thought you too had plans tonight? At least that's he made it seem like. He literally just left? Said he had some work to get before he came back?" Y/N moved her hands around in the air as she spoke now, as if that would make the picture of the man in her mind more clear to Ada.

"Oh do you mean Michael?" Ada said her smile beginning to grow as she began to realize what had happened. What Y/N still didn't realize.

"Michael? Karl called him Mel? He never corrected it but I'm not sure? Maybe? Anyway the guy who just left? Pretty hair, pretty clothes, pretty voice, and even prettier face? Oh come on Ada! How can you look at a man like that and say you don't remember him? He seemed perfectly polite too! Ohh Ada! Come on! Are you really not into to that?" Now bouncing on the heels of her feet as she began to describe the man. 

"Oh yes! Him! He got here a bit after you left. I remember now. But no, we don't actually have plans tonight I decided to stay in with Karl. Just out of curiosity... I take it you two talked for a bit? Did you like him?" Ada now stood looking at her friend with a grin matching Karl's. Now understanding who her "date"  was, she wanted to see how far this could go.

"Like him?! Ada he was brilliant!! You really caught a good one with him! Not only was he great with Karl, but he was also really nice about it all. He even moved a bit closer protectively when a car made a loud bang, he gets points for that I tell ya! And dear lord Ada he's gorgeous! Did you see his face? I know I keep saying it and the rest of him too! I tell you Ada if it ever get to where you meet his family you tell his mum I said 'thank you' because she really did great work! He's a real cute date! I hope he's treating you right! If not I'm sure we can get my brother to take care of him. We can have tea and biscuits while he hides the body!" 

Ada didn't hide her laughter any more and Y/N grinned back too. Though she had only met him a few times Ada was sure Y/N's large, but teddy bear like brother would have not problem hiding a body if needed. He reminded her of her own brothers... when they weren't pissing her off at least. However it was still one of these last sentences that make Ada pause and retrace her thoughts briefly.

"Wait, what do you mean thank his mother?"

"Well you know....Boys, they gets their balls from their daddy and their butt from their mama. At least that's what my grandma says. And I'm telling you Ada, ain't no tailor in the world can make an ass look that fine on skills alone. No Ada, that was pure genuine good ass genes."

As soon as Y/N finished speaking a loud laugh filled the air. A wonderful laugh like someone just heard the funniest joke on earth. It was the kind of laugh Y/N loved to hear from her friends. Only it wasn't her friend who laughed. 

Ada just stared, her mouth hung open but with the corners turned up. Shocked with both delight and confusion at the words. The laugh belonged to someone else. Someone who Y/N, in her haste to play detective, had accidentally missed. Someone who had overheard the conversation with just as much joy as Ada, but choose to remain silent until she couldn't hold her laughter in.

"Ada, I think that's the best thing I've heard in a while. You keep this one, she's fun."

An older woman, beautiful and with all-knowing eyes, met Y/N's glance and she finally turned to meet the "new" speaker. She had a look about her that said she could be just as cold as she was warm. She was a dangerous as she was smart. Luckily for Y/N the woman's face was warm indeed, though not as hot her own. Telling her friend how she felt about a strangers rear was one thing, but knowing another stranger heard it! Y/N didn't think it could be any worse.

"Already planned on it Pol."

Ada, finding her voice again, had finally spoke again. But she was still chuckling under her breath as she did so. It was as if both her and the older woman knew a joke Y/N didn't. But that was a thing for another time Y/N thought.

Pol, that sounded familiar to Y/N but she couldn't place where from. Instead she decided it would be best to stop gaping like a fish try to fix the small mess she just made. Because again it couldn't be any worse right. 

"Hi. Ada you have company, and you are Ada's company. Ohhhh noooo. I barged in on you two and  I'm interrupting and I just didn't know anyone else was here and you just heard all of that. I was just so excited because I thought Ada had date and like he didn't seem like a narcissistic asshole, and that was really good and and I'm rambling now so I'm gonna start over," Y/N paused, took a deep breath and stuck out her hand.

"Hi. I'm Y/N and I am sorry."

The woman, Pol, smirked at her and stuck out her own hand.

"Don't be sorry, Y/N, it's nice to know that at least someone's interested in furthering Ada's love life," Pol said, giving a quick side glance to the mentioned woman who gave a small huff and rolled her eyes. Obviously this type of conversation had come up before. And Polly continued turning to Ada, her tone now slightly sarcastic, "I'm just saying that your brothers do the same thing so it really shouldn't matter if you do either. You deserve to go out, find a good enough looking man and get laid? Isn't that was all the equality stuff is about anyway? Y/N what do you think of all that? Shouldn't our girl be just as able go out and have just as much fun as her brothers?"

The conversation have veered slightly from it's original course but none in the room seemed to mind. 

"Ohh I agree with you on that ma'am. Remember Ada. This is a time of equal rights! And equal rights means equal fights; and equal fights means equal fucks!" 

"Oh great, now there's two of you, if you keep this up you could give John and Arthur a run their money in the annoying awards," Ada groaned putting her head on the table in defeat briefly before it popped up again, "At least those two idiots I can hit. They won't hit back, but not you two. If I go after one of you I'm gonna have to get my nails done again. The brothers won't attack, but who's to say what would be done by the best friend and the aunt!" 

"Aunt?," Y/N repeated as she heard the last word, "OH AUNT, Pol, Aunt Polly, you're Ada's Aunt! Oh I remember now! Ada said you were going to come down this weekend." She turned towards the Shelby women who both perked up suddenly as if remembering their own idea from before.

"Yes, she's my aunt. She came down with my cousin for the weekend. I've told you about him right," Ada said, her grin beginning to grow again, while Polly sat back and smiled, just watching and waiting for what she knew was about to happen.

"Your cousin.... cousin," Y/N spoke aloud as she thought, "Oh yeah, you've mentioned him before. He's the one who let Karl go down the stairs in a bin! You tried to stab him! Isn't his name M...."

Y/N froze. 

Ada just stared at her friend with an innocent smile while Pol hid her smirk behind her cup of tea. 

Things were falling into place and Y/N realized it was worse... it was so so much worse. If a random stranger hearing your opinions on another stranger's ass was bad enough.... if the random stranger was actually the first one's .....

"Ahhhhhhh..... nooooo....no no no. No. No. No....No. Polly's your aunt.... and Polly has a son named Michael... And Michael is apparently Mel's real name.... which means that I .... you heard me.... thank you?.... great bullocks." Y/N spewed out her head shooting back and forth between the pair of Shelby's wearing matching grins. Her head hit the table with a thud, much like Ada's had earlier as she tried to block out the whole interaction that just happened. 

Maybe she should have just taken Karl to her house and let him play with her brother. They always had a riot of a time playing hide and seek, and making their own riots in the mini block town. That would have been a better option. 

"Great Bollocks? Who's mine or my son's?" 

Y/N laughed. She laughed and kept chuckling under her breath, it was all she could do. Of all the worst ways to meet someone's mom. Polly didn't even know Y/N's name before she knew all about Y/N thoughts on her son's rear end.... Releasing a deep sigh Y/N decided there was only one thing left to do in a situation like this. Standing up from her chair she looked at her companions.

"Right, I really just want to say... OH DEAR THE COOKIES ARE BURNING!!!!"

Alarmed, the Shelby women looked towards the oven to make sure the cookies were not in fact burning, and Y/N took her chance to make a break for the door. For someone who despised all things running, she was surprisingly fast.

"I'll just let you deal with that. I gotta get home to make sure my brother has stayed out of the dog food..yeah the dog food. Did I tell you he got dog? Yeah that happened. It was great talking with y'all!! Byeeeeeee!" 

Before the remaining two could even take two steps towards the fleeing girl, the door to the house shut firmly and she was gone. Ada was about to go after her and make sure she was alright. Even if it was funny to see her friend mistake her cousin for her lover, Ada still wanted to make sure she wasn't too embarrassed. Y/N liked to laugh a lot, but Ada was close enough to Y/N to know her laughs also hide her friend's anxiety at times. But Polly stopped her niece by grabbing her arm. 

"Oh don't worry about her."

"Pol you don't understand. I know her and even if she laughed she's dying inside. I need to let her know it's alright."

"No, let her go now. She'll be back," Polly spoke, pointing to the bag sitting by the door belonging to neither her nor her niece, "You and I need to get ready for a night out."

"But Pol. I sti..."

"No buts. You and I are dressing up and going out tonight. No men. Esme and Linda are on their way down too, if Lizzie can keep them from killing each other. So go upstairs and put on the dress you shove in the back of the closet when your brothers are here and get ready. I'll put Karl down and then change into my dress. Michael should be here any minute and we take his car."

"If it's no men then why are we taking Michael's car? And who's going to watch Karl while I'm out? James is gone for the weekend and I don't want to leave him alone if something happens. Besides if that is Y/N's pack she will be back tonight. It probably has her keys in it and she needs to get in. Someone should be here when she gets them."

Polly smirked a smirk only she could pull off.

"Ada dear I said WE'RE taking Michael's Car. I never said he was coming with us....

Part 2

[if-only-angels-could-prevail]

hey! i recently moved to chicago and i'm interested in seeing some local theater. you've posted a bunch about the chicago theater scene, so i wanted to see if you had any recommendations for theaters/currently running shows/etc. thank you!!

ooh i get this question every once in a while, maybe one day my answer will be comprehensive

the two biggest titans of regional theatre in chicago are the goodman and steppenwolf, and your timing sending this ask couldn't be better:

tomorrow, the goodman has its first preview of midnight in the garden of good and evil, the new musical by taylor mac and jason robert brown. also the goodman has a lot of great discounts (including $10 student tickets the day of), check out their website

yesterday, steppenwolf opened little bear ridge road, which is a world premiere play by samuel d hunter, starring laurie metcalf. i saw it, i really loved it, i found it patient and moving. (i also admit that i bartend there, so, bias? but i did love it)

some of the other Big theaters in chicago include: chicago shakespeare theatre (i WILL be seated for the lord of the rings musical) and court theatre (i've seen two shows at court and adored them both).

and if you're willing to go to the burbs, there's the paramount in aurora, writers theatre in glencoe (they're doing natasha pierre soon!), and then drury lane and marriott (they both specialize in musicals--sadly, i don't get to those two often because i don't have a car and it's a hellish commute).

but those are just the big ones, and chicago is more famous for its storefront scene, which is just as exciting. for musicals, look into blank theatre (hi danny lol), theo ubique, porchlight, and kokandy. for plays, check out invictus (i'm seeing their three sisters tonight), factory, raven, a red orchid theatre, lifeline, theater wit (i saw their production of mr burns five times lol), and remy bumppo. just to name a few. there are many, many more.

i know this list is already long, but trust me when i say i'm just scratching the surface. it is literally impossible to see all the theatre that happens in chicago--but if you start going to shows and talking to people, you'll get a sense of the Must Sees! (also feel free to DM me with more specific questions in the future, and I will--privately--give you my unfiltered opinions.)

Finally, under the cut, I've shared a list of *some* of the specific shows i'm interested in seeing throughout the end of the year. they're organized by closing date.

6/20 - 7/21: The Hot Wing King, Writers Theatre

6/13 - 8/4: Little Bear Ridge Road, Steppenwolf

6/25 - 8/4: Midnight In The Garden, Goodman

7/12 - 8/11: The Mad Ones, Blank Theatre

7/21-8/25: The Normal Heart, Redtwist

7/17 - 9/1: The Lord of the Rings, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre

8/2 - 9/29: Alice By Heart, Kokandy

9/6 - 9/29: East Texas Hot Links, Court Theatre

10/4: Patti LuPone, Lyric Opera

10/1 - 10/6: Leonora, Chicago Opera Theatre

9/6 - 10/6: Henry V, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre

9/14 - 10/6: Rigoletto, Lyric Opera

9/26 - 10/10: Fidelio, Lyric Opera

9/14 - 10/13: Inherit the Wind, Goodman

9/19 - 10/13: Never Better, Theo Ubique

9/5 - 10/27: Great Comet, Writers Theatre

9/12 - 10/27: Noises Off, Steppenwolf

10/5 - 11/3: Primary Trust, Goodman

10/22 - 11/3: Some Like It Hot, Broadway In Chicago

10/17 - 11/17: Dear Elizabeth, Remy Bumppo 

11/9 - 11/30: The Marriage of Figaro, Lyric Opera

10/18 - 12/1: Seven Guitars, City Lit

11/16 - 12/1: Blue, Lyric Opera

11/8 - 12/8: Falsettos, Court Theatre

10/20 - 12/8: Pericles, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre

10/24 - 12/15: Leroy and Lucy, Steppenwolf

[pers-books]

Doctor Who - The Stuff of Legend LIVE!

Paul McGann and India Fisher to star in special one-off live recording of a brand-new Eighth Doctor adventure.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of licensed Doctor Who audio dramas, Big Finish Theatre, in partnership with BBC Studios, Fourth Wall Live and AEG, is proud to announce a unique full-cast live recording event, taking place at Cadogan Hall, London on Saturday 14 September 2024. 

For the very first time, Doctor Who fans will be able to watch an all-star cast take to the stage to perform a brand-new audio play, The Stuff of Legend, by Robert Valentine. 

Leading the cast is Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor and India Fisher as his indomitable companion Charley Pollard. They’ll be joined onstage by Alex Macqueen as the Master alongside Nicholas Briggs, who voices the Doctor’s unstoppable arch-enemy, the Daleks. 

Something is afoot in the lonely Cornish village of Merrymaid Bay. Rumours of dead men working in the tin mines have sent a chill through the community, and it's up to the Doctor and Charley to get to the bottom of the mystery.  

Can the legends of the Bucca that haunts the mines be true? And just what awesome power do the Doctor’s greatest enemies – the Daleks! – threaten to unleash upon the universe? 

Tickets will be available to order at www.doctorwhoaudiolive.com from 10:00 (UK time) on Friday 05 July, with prices beginning at £18.00. 

Big Finish executive producer Jason Haigh-Ellery said: “25 years? It feels like 25 seconds! Producing the audio adventures of Doctor Who has been such a joy that two and a half decades has flown by – almost as if we have all been in the time vortex with the Doctor. 

“We’ve enjoyed ourselves so much producing thousands of hours of audio drama adventures – and now we have the chance to show fans of the series how the audio productions are made, with a new live performance – the first time Doctor Who has been performed live on stage since 1989.” 

Dominic Walker, Global Business Director at BBC Studios, added: “After 25 years of working with Big Finish on the Doctor Who audio adventures, BBC Studios is excited to now be bringing a live version to the stage. The Stuff of Legend is a fitting celebration and I am delighted that fans will be able to witness the recording of such a momentous anniversary story up close and personal.” 

Please note: Cadogan Hall has limited capacity so fans are advised to book quickly to avoid disappointment.  

Simultaneous to the live stage show, a full-cast studio production of Doctor Who: The Stuff of Legend will be released on 14 September 2024. Big Finish listeners can pre-order this adventure now for just £15.99 (collector’s edition double CD + download) or £12.99 (download only) exclusively here. This will also be available to purchase as a collector’s edition CD at the event. 

All the above prices include the special pre-order discount and are subject to change after general release. 

Please note that Big Finish is currently operating a digital-first release schedule. The mail-out of collector’s edition CDs may be delayed due to factors beyond our control, but all purchases of this release unlock a digital copy that can be immediately downloaded or played on the Big Finish app from the release date.